Team-by-Team Draft Recap: New England Patriots
With key players unable to stay healthy over the course of a full season (including Shane Vereen and Rob Gronkowski) or departing New England (Aaron Hernandez and Danny Woodhead), 2013 was not particularly fantasy-friendly for owners of Patriots. In the 2014 NFL Draft, New England spent six of their nine picks (and five of their first six) on players to help on the offensive side of the ball. The only fantasy-relevant player early on will be the running back taken in the fourth round, but if you’re in a deep league, there are a couple others to keep on your radar. For those in IDP leagues, don’t sleep on the first player the Patriots drafted…
Dominique Easley, DT (Round 1, Overall #29)
When healthy, Easley is an explosive lineman from his first step and plays through the whistle. In a 4-3 formation next to Vince Wilfork and with Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich on the edges, the offensive line is certainly going to have its hands full. He’ll be able to spell the aging Wilfork and Tommy Kelly on the interior and slide outside in a 3-4. This pick filled one of the Patriots’ top needs given all their question marks on the defensive line and Belichick’s love of versatility.
Easley’s two ACL injuries (one in each knee and two years apart) caused his draft slide from a potential top ten pick down to the third or fourth rounds. Though a date has not yet been set for his return, he was deemed healthy at the combine and his stock began to rise again. With Seattle reportedly targeting Easley and only trading out when he was taken three picks earlier, he wouldn’t have lasted much longer. After Aaron Donald, no lineman has as much potential at DT in rookie drafts.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB (Round 2, Overall #62)
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Patriots’ needs and draft round aside, Garoppolo has drawn many favorable comparisons to Tony Romo (aside from being in the same college program). A quick release, consistency, accuracy and solid mechanics complement his reputation for being a respected leader. Less impressive measurables and a questionable deep ball left him a tier below the upper echelon of rookie quarterbacks. Sitting behind Brady for the foreseeable future will help prepare Garoppolo to take the reins when the time comes, and he is worth stashing as Mallett has been. He’ll get a bump in value if and when Mallett departs via trade or free agency.
Bryan Stork, C/G (Round 4, Overall #105)
Though not at the top of the list of Patriots’ needs, the interior offensive lineman was the first selection on day three of the draft. Stork is the type of player Bill Belichick covets with the versatility to play multiple positions (center or guard), even starting his college career on the end of the line as a tight end, and having been the veteran leader on the nation’s highest scoring offense at Florida State. He will initially serve as depth but would likely be the first to step in for Dan Connolly or Ryan Wendell.
James White, RB (Round 4, Overall #130)
With no running backs signed beyond 2014, the Patriots were fully expected to select one in the draft. Quick, consistent and productive, Belichick no doubt loves White’s blocking ability, versatility (he’s returned kickoffs), reliability as a receiver out of the backfield and high football IQ. Perhaps most coveted of all were his ball security skills as he only fumbled twice in his 754 career touches, a talent he has recognized as being critical by stating “ball security is job security.”
White was productive from the start in Wisconsin, tallying over 1,100 all-purpose yards with 14 touchdowns as a rookie. He shared the backfield throughout his college career with Melvin Gordon and Montee Ball, never being the feature back or carrying a particularly heavy workload. His skill set appears to transfer as an effective complementary back in the NFL as well, so he is unlikely to take on a lead role even if Ridley and/or Vereen departs. That said, even in this role for the Badgers he set a school record for running backs with 670 receiving yards and rushed for over 4,000 yards in his four seasons.
Though he won’t be a bellcow for the Patriots or a RB1-level producer, I expect he will have a sizable role in the range of 15 touches a game and be a consistent fantasy running back. In early rookie drafts, White is generally going off the board in the mid-late third round. With his high floor, I’d take him as early as the end of the second round.
Cameron Fleming, OT (Round 4, Overall #140)
The Patriots used their third pick in the fourth round to grab their second offensive lineman of the day, this time a tackle at a great value. The 6’5”, 330-pound tackle out of Stanford, a major in aeronautics and astronautics, will either challenge Marcus Cannon to be Sebastian Vollmer’s primary backup at right tackle or allow Cannon to move in to guard. If he can improve his footwork and add some more aggressiveness to his game, Fleming’s got the tools to be one of the top right tackles in the NFL down the road.
Jon Halapio, G (Round 6, Overall #179)
Their third offensive lineman in four picks, Halapio adds depth to the guard position on the Patriots’ depth chart. Though he is limited athletically and struggles in pass protection, Halapio is very strong and an excellent run blocker.
Zach Moore, DE (Round 6, Overall #198)
In terms of raw talent, Moore has a lot of potential as a developmental player on the end of the defensive line or even as a linebacker in a 3-4. His size and athleticism, as well as his work ethic and coachability, were appealing to teams looking for a project with upside. On the downside, Moore needs a lot of work in his technique and came from a Division II program so his performance against top competition is yet to be determined. He’ll battle for one of the last spots on the depth chart with the likes of Jake Bequette and Michael Buchanan.
Jemea Thomas, DB (Round 6, Overall #206)
Another Patriot draftee known for his versatility, Thomas is primarily a cornerback but can play safety as well as on special teams. He is a tough, durable and aggressive player who delivers hits harder than you would expect from a player his size. Due to physical limitations as well as his playing style, he projects more as a depth player that can contribute in several areas. He won’t be challenging for a starting role, but could push a player like Tavon Wilson off the roster.
Jeremy Gallon, WR (Round 7, Overall #244)
In a deep class of wide receivers, it wasn’t surprising to see the 5’7” Gallon fall to the seventh round. The Patriots have a wealth of receivers that have spent time in the slot, including Danny Amendola, Josh Boyce and Julian Edelman. While all three have lined up on the outside as well, Gallon certainly faces an uphill battle to make the Patriots’ roster. You have likely noticed the pattern of the Patriots’ preference for versatile players, and Gallon is no exception with experience at quarterback, in various formations in the backfield, and returning punts and kickoffs.
Included within Gallon’s 89 receptions for 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns in 2013 was the Big Ten record for receiving yards in a game (369). A good route runner with strong hands, Gallon doesn’t possess great speed to separate from defenders. He is praised for his intangibles and excellent productivity, though many question if the latter can translate at the professional level. Gallon is worth stashing in deep leagues and the receiver situation is, as always, worth monitoring throughout the summer to see if he sticks.
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